Commanding Officer
Cmdr. Andrew Gillis
Cmdr. Andrew “Waldo” Gillis, a native of Gainesville, Virginia, joined the U.S. Navy in 2000 as an Aviation Electronics Technician. After six years of enlisted service, he was selected for commissioning through the Seaman-to-Admiral 21 program in 2005. He graduated from Old Dominion University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.
Following commissioning, Gillis reported to Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, where he completed Naval Flight Officer training with Training Squadron (VT) 4. He then reported to Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 120 for initial E-2C Hawkeye aircraft training, earning his “Wings of Gold” in October 2012.
In December 2012, Gillis reported to the “Bear Aces” of VAW-124 at Naval Station Norfolk (NSN), Virginia. He deployed in 2014 with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 aboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Inherent Resolve. During the deployment, he earned two Air Medals and was selected as Hawkeye Naval Flight Officer of the Year for 2015. While assigned to VAW-124, he was also nominated and graduated as a United States Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program (TOPGUN) Air Intercept Controller.
In 2015, Gillis reported to the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center at Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada, where he was assigned to the Carrier Airborne Early Warning Weapons School. During this tour, he served as the Standardization Officer and a subject matter expert in modern tactical command and control.
Gillis reported to the “Seahawks” of VAW-126 at NSN in 2018, serving as the Squadron Training Officer. That year, he completed his third deployment with (CVW) 1 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). During the deployment, CVW-8 conducted the Navy’s first North Atlantic deployment since 1986 and earned the distinction of becoming “Blue Noses” after crossing the Arctic Circle.
Selected for Aviation Department Head, Gillis reported to the “Bluetails” of VAW-121 in April 2020. He deployed with CVW-7 aboard USS George H.W. Bush. While operating in the Mediterranean Sea, he was forward deployed to Poland in response to the Ukrainian crisis. In 2024, Gillis assumed the role as Executive Officer of the “Bear Aces” of VAW-124.
Gillis now serves as the Commanding Officer of VAW-124, as of Feb. 2026.
Gillis has accumulated more than 1,800 flight hours in the E-2C and E-2D Hawkeye aircraft. He is authorized to wear numerous personal, unit and campaign awards.